Today, we’re launching the latest version of our build automation tool for HCL Notes and Domino applications, Teamstudio Build Manager version 9.0. If you’re not familiar with Build Manager, allow me to briefly explain what it is. (If you’re already familiar with Build Manager, feel free to skip this next paragraph.)
Build Manager is a tool that provides comprehensive control of the movement of Notes & Domino application templates from one environment (development, test, production) to another. It improves efficiency by automating the steps necessary to make a template ready for the new environment, and mitigates risk by ensuring all necessary steps are completed consistently, each time a build is executed, thereby reducing the risk of human error. It helps with compliance to regulatory standards by ensuring the enforcement of segregation of roles, all at the push of a single button. Whether you’re an HCL Notes/Domino administrator or developer, it makes your life easier with one-click builds.
So what’s new in version 9.0? The new version focuses on three specific enhancements:
A new Build Automation / Command-Line interface that can be used to automate promotions,
Significant improvements to the Design Refresh / Design Replace steps, and
A refreshed user interface design.
Command Line Interface
The executable included with Build Manager, which is called TeamstudioBuildManager.exe, can now be used to run promotions. Promotions can be automated and triggered by external applications such as Continuous Integration servers and Deployment Management software, allowing integration with builds for related projects via technologies like ANT and Jenkins. External programs can control the level of logging via parameters passed to the executable, capture the output of the Build Manager promotion log, and determine the status of the promotion via the command's exit code.
Design Refresh/Replace
Build Manager now provides more information about the Design Refresh process, including verifying that the newly promoted template has the expected template name prior to beginning a refresh, reporting on template name conflicts, and preventing refresh/replace attempts when the template name is not set on the promoted template. The Design Refresh option has also been updated with options to bring it more in line with the “design replace” behavior of the Notes client. It can now be set to leave the new template name in the target database, and it does not mandate the deletion of the design elements in the target before the replace.
Updated UI Design
The look and feel of the Build Manager suite of databases has been updated, including new logos and a more modern color scheme. Dynamic Help (F1 or Help > Dynamic Help) now links to the relevant sections of the online documentation.
Upgrading to the latest version of Build Manager couldn’t be easier. Click below to get started!